Critic’s picks

Classical music

September 11, 2011|By Jeremy Eichler, Globe Staff

A Far Cry (performing in Rockport this past June) will play Bach, Beethoven,… (Lisa poole for the boston…)

HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY Harry Christophers opens the new H&H season with a program of mostly Haydn and Mozart, including the latter’s Piano Concerto No. 22, with fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout. Sept. 23 and 25. Symphony Hall.617-266-3605.www.handelandhaydn.org

A FAR CRY The self-conducted chamber orchestra takes on Arvo Pärt’s “Fratres,’’ Steve Reich’s Triple Quartet, Vaughan Williams’s Tallis Fantasia, Bach’s Contrapunctus XIV, and Beethoven’s “Grosse Fuge.’’ Sept. 23.Jordan Hall.$27; discounts for students and seniors. 617-585-1260.www.necmusic.edu

BOSTON CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA Steven Lipsitt’s ensemble starts off with Rossini, Saint-Saens (Cello Concerto with Allison Eldredge), and Beethoven (“Eroica’’ Symphony). Sept. 24 and 25.Faneuil Hall.617-423-3883.www.bostonclassicalorchestra.org

BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Opening night is Sept. 30, with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter leading the first half of a two-part survey of Mozart’s Violin Concertos. Guest conductors this fall include Myung-Whun Chung, Juanjo Mena, Ludovic Morlot, Kurt Masur, and Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos. Visiting soloists include Yo-Yo Ma, Garrick Ohlsson, Gidon Kremer, and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. Symphony Hall.617-266-1200. www.bso.org

DISCOVERY ENSEMBLE Courtney Lewis’s adventurous orchestra returns with Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and Martin’s Six Monologues from “Jedermann’’ with baritone Christòpheren Nomura. Oct. 2. 3 p.m. Sanders Theater. 617-800-7588. www.discoveryensemble.com

CELEBRITY SERIES Vocalist Audra McDonald opens the series (Oct. 2) with a performance in Symphony Hall. The fall also includes appearances by the English Concert under Harry Bicket’s direction with countertenor Andreas Scholl (Oct. 23) and a joint recital by mezzo-soprano Angelika Kirchschlager and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet (Nov. 11). 617-482-6661. www.celebrityseries.org

BOSTON PHILHARMONIC Benjamin Zander leads his orchestra in Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4, “The Inextinguishable,’’ Sibelius’s Swan of Tuonela, and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with Ilya Kaler as soloist. Oct 12 and 16 in Sanders Theatre.Oct 15 in Jordan Hall.617-236-0999.www.bostonphil.org